The HL7 International Council (HL7 IC) provides a forum for the HL7 international affiliates and other interested HL7 members to communicate and exchange views as well as discuss issues regarding the international development, adoption, and implementation of HL7 interoperability standards.
The International Council recommends to the Board of Directors actions and policies on behalf of the 44 International Affiliates.
The HL7 International has three co-chairs reflecting a range of locations around the globe:
FERNANDO CAMPOS
HL7 Argentina
Fernando Campos, FHL7, is an Information Systems Engineer with a Master Degree in Strategic Direction of Software Engineering. He is currently Affiliate Director at the HL7 Board, HL7 EAC member and HL7 Argentina chair since 2012.
LINE SAELE
HL7 Norway
Line is an Enterprise Architect at Norwegian Institute of Public Health. She is currently Affiliate Director at the HL7 Board, and a member of the HL7 Europe Board of Directors. She is also the chair of HL7 Norway, and co-chair of Patient Administration Work Group
RON PARKER
HL7 Canada
Ron is an Enterprise Architect and has been participating in HL7 since 1998. He is Chair of HL7 Canada, and also currently an International Director of the HL7 Board, and international representative to the HL7 US Realm Steering Committee.
The co-chairs coordinate closely with the Affiliate Directors on the HL7 Board of Directors and our international colleagues Diego Kaminker of HL7 Argentina, in his role as the HL7 Deputy Chief Standards Implementation Officer, and with FHIR Product Director Grahame Grieve of HL7 Australia.
International Council Activities in 2024
International Council meetings continued to be held at HL7 working group meetings (WGMs), and between WGM meetings. Meetings of the Council in 2024 were held at the WGMs, and in addition to conference calls in April, July and September. Approximately 50-65% of affiliates actively attend these meetings.
Highlights for 2024
FUNDING
The HL7 Board approved an increase to HL7 IC’s Discretionary Budget from $15,000 to $25,000 USD in 2023. These funds have been fully committed in supporting training and Connectathon events in several Affiliate countries. This is very much appreciated by the HL7 Affiliates.
CENTRAL AMERICA
New affiliates in Ecuador and Central America & Dominican Republic. Brazil and Chile have increased activity, and we are seeing a good participation from the Affiliates in the region.
ASIA
Asia eHealth Information Network, AeHIN, is a new regional partner for HL7. Asia also has continued their active regional meetings.
INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
The International Council voted to hold May 2025 International WGM in Madrid, Spain and the May 2026 WGM in the Netherlands.
EUROPE
There has also been Increased activity in Europe. Europe launched a regional WGM to work closer together on the efforts arising in the region.
HL7 International Council 2024 Meeting Summary
January 2024 – Virtual WGM
FOCUS
Kick-off for the year, updates on affiliate engagement, and planning for IPS and FHIR activities
HIGHLIGHTS
Review of affiliate participation and quorum
Early discussions on IPS implementation strategies
Budget planning and regional outreach goals
April 2024 – Virtual WGM
FOCUS
Strategic planning and global coordination
HIGHLIGHTS
Updates on IPS adoption in Canada and Brazil
Presentation of HL7 Canada's approach to language translation packs
Foundry project updates and regional reports from Latin America, Africa, and Europe
May 2024 – In-Person WGM (Dallas)
FOCUS
Deep dive into interoperability efforts and affiliate collaboration
HIGHLIGHTS
Brazil’s Ministry of Health presented on IPS and BR-CORE
Canada shared its pan-Canadian Patient Summary (PS-CA) implementation
Proposal to host language translation packs via THO/UTG
Gravitate Health and Foundry project updates
July 2024 – Virtual WGM
FOCUS
Mid-year check-in and tool development
HIGHLIGHTS
Continued work on IPS and FHIR tooling
Education and credentialing updates
Regional affiliate coordination and feedback
September 2024 – Virtual WGM
FOCUS
Final planning for the year and review of strategic goals
HIGHLIGHTS
Review of IPS progress and affiliate feedback
Preparation for 2025 Madrid WGM and 2026 Netherlands WGM
Plans for 2025
The Council observes more collaboration between different affiliates, more on regional levels. The International Council sees forward and will try to support the regional efforts.
We see great interest in other Affiliate work and progress, and we have increased time in our WGM Agendas for presentations from the Affiliates.
The HL7 International Council is focused on supporting the implementation of FHIR internationally, and on increasing awareness of international issues and activities by HL7 members as well as shaping priorities for the HL7 Board of Directors.
For more detail about 2024, please read the full reports from our HL7 Divisions.
